Jan 5, 2016, 10:05 am
Last edit by: dgreen12
Welcome to the Alaska Airlines Newbie Lounge Thread for 2016!
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread -- click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
Cholula
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the 2015 version of this thread, please click here
Anyone is welcome to ask anything, even the most basic questions, in this thread without having to fear a snarky response. In this thread, there's no such thing as a dumb question--we were all new to Alaska Airlines, FlyerTalk, and even the whole idea of mileage programs once and needed some help navigating the ropes. We're here to help you do just that!
That said, if you want to do a little reading to see if your question has been previously discussed, links to some of the most common and extensive topics in this forum are listed in our FAQ thread -- click here to check it out.
Special care will be given in this thread to trying to provide answers in a clear manner with minimal use of acronyms and jargon.
If you need to contact someone for help, here's a current list of our forum's team:
Ambassadors (Our Greeters--members who have specifically volunteered to welcome and mentor newbies and monitor this thread):
ANC RED-EYE
baliktad
beckoa
golfingboy
Moderators (Our Janitors--members who have volunteered to do housekeeping/keep the forum in order)
Cholula
jackal
You are welcome to send a private message to any of these individuals for assistance, but you'll generally get a faster response and broader palette of answers if you simply post your inquiry here in this thread.
Note to FlyerTalk members who enjoy the ability to take advantage of loopholes--if someone posts something that exposes information you'd rather not be public, please remember this is a Flame-Free thread, and harsh or snarky posts are not permitted. Although FlyerTalk itself does not censor posts that share information, members are free to edit their own posts to remove information. If you wish to request any poster to remove information they have shared publicly, please do so politely and respectfully.
Welcome, and we look forward to providing any assistance we can!
~the Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan forum team~
For the 2015 version of this thread, please click here
2016 Alaska Airlines *FLAME-FREE* Q&A thread: all welcome, new and old!
Jun 22, 2016, 8:38 am
#617
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
Please be gentle. 
But thanks for reading anyway.
I just wanted to confirm a couple of things, if anybody had any thoughts?
1. Is it possible to book a one-way redemption using Alaska miles which starts from Europe? I had anecdotally heard that any Alaska miles one-way redemptions had to originate in the USA -- I suspected this might be false, but wanted to get clarity really.
2. From experience, do FTers generally find trying to book award space (esp. 1st class) on Cathay or Emirates difficult or, actually, fairly straightforward?
I was considering purchasing some Alaska miles, you see, but didn't wish to wind up with miles earmarked for Cathay or Emirates which I actually stood little or no chance of redeeming. (Basically, I was looking to book 1st LHR-HKG on Cathay or 1st LHR-DXB on Emirates.)
Again, many thanks for reading.
But thanks for reading anyway.I just wanted to confirm a couple of things, if anybody had any thoughts?
1. Is it possible to book a one-way redemption using Alaska miles which starts from Europe? I had anecdotally heard that any Alaska miles one-way redemptions had to originate in the USA -- I suspected this might be false, but wanted to get clarity really.
2. From experience, do FTers generally find trying to book award space (esp. 1st class) on Cathay or Emirates difficult or, actually, fairly straightforward?
I was considering purchasing some Alaska miles, you see, but didn't wish to wind up with miles earmarked for Cathay or Emirates which I actually stood little or no chance of redeeming. (Basically, I was looking to book 1st LHR-HKG on Cathay or 1st LHR-DXB on Emirates.)
Again, many thanks for reading.
Last edited by jinglish; Jun 22, 2016 at 8:46 am
Jun 22, 2016, 11:18 am
#619
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
Please be gentle. But thanks for reading anyway.
I just wanted to confirm a couple of things, if anybody had any thoughts?
1. Is it possible to book a one-way redemption using Alaska miles which starts from Europe? I had anecdotally heard that any Alaska miles one-way redemptions had to originate in the USA -- I suspected this might be false, but wanted to get clarity really.
2. From experience, do FTers generally find trying to book award space (esp. 1st class) on Cathay or Emirates difficult or, actually, fairly straightforward?
I was considering purchasing some Alaska miles, you see, but didn't wish to wind up with miles earmarked for Cathay or Emirates which I actually stood little or no chance of redeeming. (Basically, I was looking to book 1st LHR-HKG on Cathay or 1st LHR-DXB on Emirates.)
Again, many thanks for reading.
But thanks for reading anyway.I just wanted to confirm a couple of things, if anybody had any thoughts?
1. Is it possible to book a one-way redemption using Alaska miles which starts from Europe? I had anecdotally heard that any Alaska miles one-way redemptions had to originate in the USA -- I suspected this might be false, but wanted to get clarity really.
2. From experience, do FTers generally find trying to book award space (esp. 1st class) on Cathay or Emirates difficult or, actually, fairly straightforward?
I was considering purchasing some Alaska miles, you see, but didn't wish to wind up with miles earmarked for Cathay or Emirates which I actually stood little or no chance of redeeming. (Basically, I was looking to book 1st LHR-HKG on Cathay or 1st LHR-DXB on Emirates.)
Again, many thanks for reading.
Here's a link to the Alaska Air Award Chart. Take a few minutes to look it over, and you'll likely find answers to some of your questions.
Most - but not all - one-way award tickets booked with AS miles need to either originate or terminate in North America. Cathay is an exception, as they do offer Europe to Asia one-way or round trip award tickets.
Europe to the Middle East on Emirates is not listed in the award charts. The award rules state that all EK award tickets must start or end in North America.
These threads have detailed information in both the wikis and the posts - Cathay Award Availability F & J and Emirates Award Availability and Routing. Data points, individual experiences and opinions about your second question can be found on those threads.
Jun 22, 2016, 9:11 pm
#620
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Jun 23, 2016, 3:49 am
#621
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 407
Progapanda / jinglish / Calculon / AKCuisine / AKCuisine -- a massive thank-you to all. Your pointers and links are very much appreciated! Some very interesting food for thought, certainly. Thanks again!
Jun 23, 2016, 11:12 am
#622
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
Correct. I assumed that the person asking the question had by now looked at the award charts and the relevant threads, and would have known that fact.
Jun 25, 2016, 8:12 pm
#623
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
Jun 26, 2016, 12:39 am
#624
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: AA PLAT, UA GOLD
Posts: 46
AS flights on UA tickets
You can buy seats on Alaska flights through the United website (return ticket: AS there, UA back). Operated by AS, AS flight number. It says 0 award miles, but that's obviously talking about UA. While trying to book, I am only able to put in one FF number and AS isn't even on the list.
Am I able to credit the AS flight to my AS FF# after booking?
Am I able to credit the AS flight to my AS FF# after booking?
Jun 26, 2016, 10:12 am
#625
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: QLA
Programs: SBUX Gold
Posts: 14,507
You can buy seats on Alaska flights through the United website (return ticket: AS there, UA back). Operated by AS, AS flight number. It says 0 award miles, but that's obviously talking about UA. While trying to book, I am only able to put in one FF number and AS isn't even on the list.
Am I able to credit the AS flight to my AS FF# after booking?
Am I able to credit the AS flight to my AS FF# after booking?
Jun 26, 2016, 1:29 pm
#626
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: AA PLAT, UA GOLD
Posts: 46
Thanks
Jun 26, 2016, 2:20 pm
#627
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 2,205
Yup. I booked and UA wouldn't even let me book a seat for the AS flight. UA did not make it easy, but I found AS's confirmation number in UA's "View Current Reservation" page under a thumbnail "View Additional Confirmation Numbers". AS's was listed and I used that (On alaskaair.com) to add my FF# and booked my preferred seat.
Thanks
Thanks
Jun 28, 2016, 12:30 pm
#628
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SEA
Posts: 3,953
I'm going to ask here so that you can't flame me for asking 
It's probably pretty basic.
I bought a flight from the AS website, operated by AA and with AA flight numbers on Alaska ticket stock (027). Let's say there's a delay the day of departure and I want to call and cancel for a refund. Do I call Alaska for that, or American? I'm thinking Alaska since it's a 027 ticket. Is that correct?
It's probably pretty basic.I bought a flight from the AS website, operated by AA and with AA flight numbers on Alaska ticket stock (027). Let's say there's a delay the day of departure and I want to call and cancel for a refund. Do I call Alaska for that, or American? I'm thinking Alaska since it's a 027 ticket. Is that correct?
Jun 28, 2016, 6:46 pm
#629
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
I'm going to ask here so that you can't flame me for asking It's probably pretty basic.
I bought a flight from the AS website, operated by AA and with AA flight numbers on Alaska ticket stock (027). Let's say there's a delay the day of departure and I want to call and cancel for a refund. Do I call Alaska for that, or American? I'm thinking Alaska since it's a 027 ticket. Is that correct?
It's probably pretty basic.I bought a flight from the AS website, operated by AA and with AA flight numbers on Alaska ticket stock (027). Let's say there's a delay the day of departure and I want to call and cancel for a refund. Do I call Alaska for that, or American? I'm thinking Alaska since it's a 027 ticket. Is that correct?
Jun 29, 2016, 12:10 pm
#630
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Seattle
Programs: SPG - Lifetime Plat, AS - MVPG75K
Posts: 14
Did Alaska take the handicapped designation off of Row 6 B&C? I'm looking at SEA-OGG flights and the seats are available without the handicapped designation on the website, but with the designation on the app. It even let me book the seats (75k - didn't finish transaction though) without the warning that I may be bumped. I want to double check with the Flyertalk experts before I book b/c those flights have a high percentage of wheelchair passengers and I don't want to end up in a middle seat in the back. Thanks.